When Iowa and Penn State meet on the gridiron, expect the unexpected. This isn't your typical Big Ten rivalry with decades of hatred and trophy traditions—it's something weirder, wilder, and infinitely more entertaining. From the bizarre 6-4 defensive slugfest that still haunts Penn State fans to Saquon Barkley's physics-defying hurdle, the Iowa-Penn State football rivalry has delivered some of college football's most memorable moments over 95 years.
The Numbers Tell Only Half the Story
Penn State currently holds an 18-15 edge in the all-time series that began way back in 1930 with a resounding 19-0 Iowa victory. But these aren't your run-of-the-mill wins and losses. Nine of the games since 1996 have been decided by one score, including two overtime thrillers. The home team has won only 10 of the 33 matchups—a staggering upset rate that makes this one of college football's most unpredictable series.
The Early Years: A 41-Year Hiatus
The rivalry's origin story is as peculiar as the games themselves. After Iowa dominated Penn State 19-0 in their first meeting in 1930, the teams didn't face each other again until 1971—a 41-year gap that makes modern conference realignment look tame. When they finally reunited, Penn State came out swinging with a 44-14 revenge victory in Iowa City.
Through the 1970s and early 1980s, Penn State owned the series, winning 10 of the first 14 matchups after the rivalry resumed. The Nittany Lions consistently dominated Iowa until a turning point arrived at the turn of the millennium.
The Kirk Ferentz Era: Iowa's Golden Age
Everything changed when Kirk Ferentz took over as Iowa's head coach in 1999. After an initial 31-7 loss to Penn State, Ferentz orchestrated something remarkable: five consecutive victories over the Nittany Lions from 2000 to 2004—still Iowa's longest winning streak in the series.
This stretch included some of the rivalry's most iconic moments. The 2000 game at Beaver Stadium marked the first overtime game in history for both programs, with Iowa prevailing 26-23 in double overtime on a Nate Kaeding field goal and a game-sealing interception by Ryan Hansen. For Penn State legend Joe Paterno, the loss was devastating—it eliminated the Nittany Lions from bowl contention and kept him two wins short of passing Bear Bryant for most major college victories.
The Game That Defied Logic: 6-4
No discussion of Iowa-Penn State football is complete without the infamous 6-4 game of 2004. It wasn't just low-scoring—it was outright bizarre.
The statistics were comically bad: 315 combined yards of offense, seven turnovers, 14 punts, and just 16 first downs between both teams. Penn State's only points came from two safeties, while Iowa managed two field goals. The game epitomized the offensive struggles of early 2000s Penn State, which made just one bowl game from 2000 to 2005.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz made a calculated decision late in the game that still raises eyebrows: with a 6-2 lead, he deliberately took a safety to make it 6-4, betting that his defense could hold. Penn State's offense responded with turnovers on their final three plays—an interception and a fumble on consecutive possessions—sealing Iowa's unconventional victory.
"It was a long game—a long, boring game," former Penn State player Donnie Johnson told ESPN years later. But for Iowa, it represented defensive dominance. "For the defense, it was a dream come true, to win a game 6-4," said ex-Iowa safety Sean Considine.
2008: Crushing Penn State's National Title Dreams
On November 8, 2008, No. 3 Penn State arrived at Kinnick Stadium undefeated at 9-0, eyeing their first BCS championship game appearance. The Nittany Lions led by nine points entering the fourth quarter, but Iowa rallied dramatically. Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal as time expired gave Iowa a stunning 24-23 victory, effectively ending Penn State's national championship hopes.
The loss remains one of the most painful defeats in Penn State history, denying Joe Paterno what would have been his final legitimate shot at another national title.
The Saquon Barkley Show: 2017
September 23, 2017, became the "Saquon Barkley legacy game" at Kinnick Stadium. The future NFL star was nothing short of superhuman, accumulating 358 all-purpose yards—breaking the Penn State single-game record with 211 rushing yards, 94 receiving yards, and 53 kick return yards.
The signature moment? Barkley hurdled Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson in the fourth quarter while maintaining his balance after being hit—a play that became instant SportsCenter gold. He juked linebacker Josey Jewell on what should have been a loss but turned into a first down.
Trailing 19-15 with 1:42 remaining, Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley used Barkley as a decoy and connected with Juwan Johnson for a walk-off touchdown as time expired, giving Penn State a dramatic 21-19 victory. For Barkley, the 12 receptions against Iowa remain the most by a running back in Penn State history.
Recent Drama: Top-5 Showdowns and Upsets
The rivalry ascended to new heights in the 2020s. The 2021 matchup between No. 3 Iowa and No. 4 Penn State marked the first top-five meeting in series history—and the first top-five clash at Kinnick Stadium since Iowa beat Michigan in 1985.
Iowa prevailed 23-20 in another thriller, with Nico Ragaini catching a 44-yard fourth-quarter touchdown from Spencer Petras to seal the victory. The game exemplified the series' pattern: nail-biting finishes decided by clutch plays.
Penn State bounced back with a dominant 31-0 shutout in 2023, but the 2025 meeting delivered yet another instant classic.
2025: Chaos Continues in Franklin's Absence
The most recent chapter might be the strangest yet. Penn State arrived in Iowa City reeling from the shocking firing of head coach James Franklin after just six games—despite reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals the previous season. Franklin was dismissed after three consecutive losses, including embarrassing defeats to winless UCLA and Northwestern, costing Penn State a reported $49 million buyout.
Making his debut as interim head coach, former Penn State star Terry Smith watched his team blow an 11-point third-quarter lead. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for a career-high 130 yards, including a jaw-dropping 67-yard run that set up the game-winning touchdown. Kaden Wetjen scored from eight yards out with 3:54 remaining, and Iowa held on for a thrilling 25-24 victory.
The game also saw Iowa kicker Drew Stevens make history. His 32-yard fourth-quarter field goal was his 68th career field goal, breaking Nate Kaeding's school record and making him Iowa's all-time leading scorer with 301 points.
The Coaching Matchup: Ferentz's Longevity vs. Penn State's Turmoil
Kirk Ferentz has become synonymous with Iowa football, entering his 27th season in 2025. In September 2025, he surpassed Woody Hayes to become the all-time winningest head coach in Big Ten history with 206 conference victories. His overall Iowa record stands at 208-126.
Against Penn State specifically, Ferentz holds an 11-12 record since joining the Big Ten in 1993, including that dominant five-game winning streak to start his tenure. His ability to get Iowa up for night games at Kinnick Stadium—where the Hawkeyes are 19-7 all-time under the lights—has been particularly problematic for visiting Nittany Lions.
Penn State, meanwhile, has cycled through coaching drama. James Franklin compiled a 104-45 record (.698) in 12 seasons but struggled mightily in the biggest games, going 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten opponents. His firing after investing a 10-year, $85 million contract extension has left the program searching for stability.
What Makes This Rivalry Special
Unlike trophy rivalries with decades of animosity, Iowa-Penn State has organically grown into one of the Big Ten's best matchups through sheer unpredictability. The series wasn't even annual until Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1990.
"Organically grown, Penn State-Iowa has become the Big Ten's most interesting rivalry," wrote one analyst. The numbers support this: 13 of 30 games have been one-possession affairs, and the home team wins only one-third of the time.
High drama defines every matchup. As Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said before the 2021 top-five showdown: "Penn State plays in a lot more of these than we probably do, right? It's what you want to play for. It's fun when the chips are on the table".
The Kinnick Stadium Factor
Iowa's home field has become a house of horrors for highly-ranked Penn State teams. The combination of raucous night games, striped yellow-and-black student sections, and Iowa's bruising defense creates an intimidating atmosphere.
Penn State has experienced both elation and heartbreak at Kinnick. In 2008, the Nittany Lions saw their national title dreams die there. In 2017, Barkley delivered a performance for the ages. In 2021, Penn State fell in a top-five thriller.
The stadium's capacity for chaos reached new heights in 2025, when Iowa fans rushed the field after the comeback victory over Penn State. It was Iowa's sixth consecutive home night game victory.
Looking Ahead: A Rivalry Built to Last
As Penn State searches for its next head coach and Iowa continues its run of consistency under Ferentz, this rivalry shows no signs of becoming predictable. The 18-15 series record in Penn State's favor remains tantalizingly close.
Since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, the teams have played 23 times, with the Nittany Lions holding a narrow 12-11 advantage. The Big Ten's 2024 expansion to 18 teams may alter scheduling, but conference realignment can't erase nearly a century of history.
What began as a one-off meeting in 1930 has evolved into one of college football's most compelling rivalries—not through manufactured hatred or trophy games, but through consistently delivering unforgettable moments when it matters most. Whether it's a 6-4 defensive battle, a Heisman contender going superhuman, or a backup quarterback leading a stunning upset, Iowa vs Penn State guarantees entertainment.
As the series approaches 100 games, one thing remains certain: when these teams meet, you never know what you're going to get. And that's exactly what makes it must-watch football.
